US President Donald Trump, after saying a quick result was possible, said he had told negotiators not to rush to reach a deal with Iran, the BBC reports.
The deal would include a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and plans for further talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said in a social media post that constructive talks were underway, but that both sides needed to be cautious and do things right. He said on the 23rd of May that most of the details had been worked out, suggesting an announcement of a deal was imminent.
Iranian officials have also made similar statements, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghay saying that both sides were both very close and very far from signing the deal.
According to US media reports, this will not be the final agreement, and some of the most controversial issues have been postponed. These include the extent and timing of sanctions relief for Iran, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and Washington’s demand that Tehran give up its nuclear ambitions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Delhi on the morning of the 25th of May that there are serious talks about opening the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the need to start talks on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The possible agreement has provoked mixed reactions from Republicans,
with some believing that it could be too beneficial for Iran. Senator Ted Cruz said that concluding the agreement would be a catastrophic mistake, while Roger Vicker said that a 60-day ceasefire would mean that everything achieved during the American operation was in vain. Meanwhile, Mike Lawler said the US administration has made progress by forcing the remnants of the Iranian regime to engage in real talks.
In a post on Truth Social on the 24th of May, Trump reiterated that Iran must understand that it must not develop nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Some US media reports suggest that Iran may eventually agree to give up its enriched uranium. At the start of the war, Tehran was estimated to have about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, which is close to achieving the 90% enrichment that allows it to be used for nuclear weapons.
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